Church News
Many roles in community
Abbey/Bendochy Church
Due to the current government restrictions, all services at Bendochy and the Abbey Church are suspended until further notice.
See the website www.bandcachurch.org. uk for the daily reflections and for further information .
Blairgowrie Evangelical Church
Sunday’s online worship was conducted by pastor Derek Johnston.
He said: “We began by singing the song ‘Who Has Held the Oceans in His Hands’, which reflects on the awesomeness of God.
“Following a time of prayer and the song ‘Who Alone Can Rescue’, Psalm 121 was read and explained.
“We saw how this particular Psalm is known as a pilgrim Psalm.
“It was a song for pilgrims in ancient Israel walking to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the annual festivals at the temple.
“It beings with the words: ‘I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?’
“As the pilgrim contemplated the journey ahead with its challenges they were encouraged by remembering the Lord was their helper and would watch over them.”
Mr Johnston continued: “We saw how in Jesus, God has shown his commitment to help and watch over his people today.
“This is a very comforting thought given the circumstances many of us face at the moment.
“Everyday life has been radically altered and many of us are battling multiple pressures and anxieties.
“However, we also saw that God does not promise to help us do whatever we want but if – like the author of this Psalm – we set our hearts on honouring him, he will help us do that.
“He will watch over us and make sure no real harm comes to us.
“We finished the service singing ‘Come Thou Font of Every Blessing’, after which we had virtual teas and coffees over Zoom.”
The Kids’ Club and prayer meeting both take place this week.
For details, see www.bechurch.co.uk. The website also includes details of the next service.
Blairgowrie Parish Church
Sunday’s morning online Blairgowrie Parish Church worship was conducted by Rev Benjamin Abeledo who continued his series of sermons on the book of Joshua.
The theme of the seventh service in the series was the second part of Joshua: ‘Consecration Before Conquest’.
The call to worship was taken from Psalm 93, ‘Our God reigns, robed with majesty and strength’, followed by the opening hymn ‘All My Hope On God Is Founded’ – from a recorded service on July 14, 2019 – and prayers of approach and confession, and then The Lord’s Prayer.
The scripture reading by Pamela Howat was from Joshua ch 5, vv 1-12, ‘The circumcision at Gilgal’.
The hymn ‘O God of Bethel’ was from the recorded service on March 17, 2019, followed by prayers and Mr Abeledo’s sermon, which was titled: ‘Joshua: Consecration Before Conquest Part 2.’
Mr Abeledo opened by saying that God’s ways at times seems baffling, inexplicable and mysterious.
In each moment of our lives – good, bad, and everything in between – God’s plans have a purpose and a reason.
Joshua ch 5 finds the people of Israel having to consecrate and celebrate their faith on the instructions of God.
The minister said: “Logical? No! But
certainly necessary according to God.
“God provided for the people of Israel through His gracious providence.
“He knew what was needed and why it needed to happen.
“The people of Israel were about to possess this Promised Land.”
Mr Abeledo continued: “Israel had an identity and distinctiveness. They were the people of the Lord and now were about to become the people of the land.
“Their 40 years of wandering were over but only after the men of Israel had prepared themselves and been circumcised.
“The significance for people today as Christians is that while the men of Israel were required to remove from their bodies a piece of flesh as a sign that they were part of the Covenant with God, it is not the actual physical activity of circumcision that is significant, it is what it means that is really important.
“As Christians we must remove from our lives anything that stands between total surrender and an obedience to the Lord.”
The minister went on: “The Bible is very clear on this. There are times when we as Christians must engage in spiritual surgery in our lives to remove everything which hinders our spiritual growth in our relationship with God. The Christian life is a life commitment.
“What applies to the people of Israel applies to all of us as well. And what a lesson it is. For we, through Christ’s death, are redeemed by Him.
“As we pass through this life we must constantly call to mind the great things the Lord has done for us in Christ.
“Through the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, which I look forward to celebrating when all of us are together once again, is our Passover, when we remind ourselves what Jesus has done and is doing and will do for us.
“We eat and drink in His presence so that we are fed by His spirit.
“We pledge ourselves to be the Lord’s and wait until He comes again for the New Heaven and the New Earth.
“From the story of Joshua ch 5, vv 1-12, we learn that we are not properly ready to face life’s battles until first of all we have become right with God.
“We must ask ourselves: Are we committed to the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we committed to His will? And His purposes? Or have we drifted away from home?
“We must not ignore or neglect the Lord. Nor must we forget Him.
“It may well be that some of us need to come to Jesus Christ by faith so that we can be saved not only from our sins but from the burden of the sin and be set free and follow Him.”
The service closed with prayers of intercession, the hymn ‘My Song Is Love Unknown’ – from the recorded service November 24, 2019 – and the benediction.
All sermons can be accessed at through the website www.blairgowrieparishchurch.org. uk/sermons.
Cargill/Burrelton Church
As a result of the most recent Covid-19 restrictions, Cargill/Burrelton Church is closed to the public until further notice.
Kinclaven Church
Representatives from Kinclaven Church have said that government restrictions mean it is not advisable to have groups of people meeting in the church.
Riverside Methodist Church
Sunday’s message was delivered by Rev Nik Wooller.
She said: “The gospel reading is about Jesus in the wilderness and I’m not sure the term ‘wilderness’ has ever felt as relevant to our lives as it does right now.
“With each day and week that passes comes a series of new announcements, promises, scientific perspectives and change of guidelines that seem to drive us to a new land, different from the past and not the place where we may choose to go.
“On Monday, February 22, the first part of unlocking begins as the youngest children go back to school and nursery, and we expect the First Minister to share her ‘roadmap’ laying out what steps we can expect over the next few weeks and months.
“For our young people, they wait particularly for news of when the rest of their year groups may expect to return to school.
“We want to know when we will be able to pick up social activities again, and when we will be able to see family and friends again.
“As Jesus was driven out into the wilderness, he did so knowing that he was God’s beloved Son.
“This truth, deep in his being, prepared him to face whatever lay before him in the wilderness.
“For us, sharing in this truth, that we are known and loved by God is the truth that can sustain us, whatever we may face.”
Rev Wooller continued: “As we are driven to a ‘wilderness’ alien from our norm and as we may be cut off from our usual places, practices and people, knowing this truth deep in our being, gives us a hope that passes all understanding, and will carry us through the wilderness of today’s world.
“Continue to be sustained by that knowledge: you are God’s beloved.”
For more information in relation to Riverside Methodist Church, see the website www.riverside-methodist-church.co.uk.
Scottish Episcopal Churches
All services have been postponed until further notice.
Any changes will be announced in the Blairie and the churches’ website.
For more information, see www.abcsaints. co.uk.
Tributes have been paid to east Perthshire’s Mary Shaw, who passed away recently.
Mary was born on August 6, 1927 at Milton of Balvarron, Kirkmichael, the youngest of John and Catherine Bayne’s four daughters.
She attended Kirkmichael Primary school but started a year late due to splitting her head falling out of a vehicle
She was given a reprieve, however, and went straight into primary two and soon caught up.
After leaving Blairgowrie High School she went into service at a local big house.
At this time, Mary enjoyed her social life and would take her pushbike to get to and from dances regardless of how far away they were.
She met her husband, Frederick Anthony Shaw, in Kirkmichael who – known as Tony at the time – had arrived there from London, along with his mother and three sisters via his grandfather’s home in Kilrea near Londonderry in Ireland.
They were married in London before returning home and their first daughter, Maureen, was born on December 27, 1946, with
their second daughter, Patsy, arriving exactly two years to the day later.
Once Tony had completed his two years of National Service they lived at Drumore Cottages at Blacklunans, then Easter Bleaton in Blackwater before moving to Folda in Glenisla in 1951 to work as a tractorman for Harry Gibb.
While there, Mary worked as a dinner lady and cleaner at Folda Primary School and started the Glenisla Girl Guides with Mary Wilson, which they ran for several years.
Not one to be idle, she also used to help with planting and lifting the tatties, the harvest and any other jobs required locally.
The family was one of the first in the glen to have a television and on more than one occasion she got home to a local child waiting on the doorstep desperate to see a favourite cartoon, or a note to say that someone had been in to watch the football and they were sorry to have missed them.
Mary enjoyed being a member of the WRI and after joining a basketry class the house was duly filled with
pot plant holders, waste paper baskets and various trays. Around this time Mary was given Isla, the first of her five dogs.
In 1965, a change of job took them to East Leitfie, where they worked for the Barrons.
Mary was able to enjoy her social life as the girls were now grown up and she made many new and lifelong friends.
Even after a move to Toutie Street in Alyth, Mary continued to dress tatties and help with the strawberries.
Mary was delighted when her first grandchild was born in 1971 and by April 1976 she had four grandsons and one granddaughter.
Tony and Mary had always enjoyed holidays and were able to travel abroad to visit several European countries; she liked to remind her daughters that, although they had all been to Mount Vesuvius, she was the only one who had climbed up to look into the crater.
Sadly, in 1989 Tony died suddenly at the age of 60. Mary dealt with his loss with great courage and dignity.
Later, when Mary moved to Springbank Road, she began to go on bus trips with family and friends, enjoyed weekly coffee mornings and joined clubs too numerous to mention.
Her first great-grandchild was born in 2001 and her ninth in 2015. She was 89 when she went to Ireland for his christening and, while there, visited the area around Londonderry where Tony had lived before they met.
Moving to Burnside Court in Alyth in 2015 was a logical step for Mary where she was able to spend time playing cards and attending her exercise classes with her friends.
Throughout her life, Mary had a love of family, dogs, reading, and knitting.
She was a wonderful mum, granny, great-granny, aunt and friend who will be sorely missed.
Mary worked as a dinner lady and cleaner at Folda Primary School and started the Glenisla Guides with Mary Wilson
East Perthshire residents have been invited to have their say on the future of transport and active travel in Rattray.
The Sustaining Choices project, led by Planning Advice Scotland (PAS) and funded by Paths For All through the Smarter Choices, Smart Places programme, aims to help communities across Scotland address sustainable travel aspirations.
It is being led locally by Proactive Communities, officers from Perth and Kinross Council, and representatives from PAS, who are organising a series of online meetings over the coming weeks to find out what transport issues members of the local community would like to see addressed.
A survey is also being sent to pupils at Blairgowrie High School to encourage young people to have their views heard.
Samantha Stewart from Proactive Communities explained: “Do you want to help shape our community and improve transport options that work for everyone?
“Our community has been chosen to participate and we want to hear your views on walking, cycling and sustainable public transport in Rattray.
“We are launching community conversations through online meetings, with members of the public, community groups and local stakeholders to identify the problems you experience and potential solutions to address your concerns.
“The outcomes will be entered into a community action plan that we can seek funding for and deliver together.”
Blairgowrie and Glens ward councillor Caroline Shiers encouraged people to get involved and have their say on improvements which could be made.
The Conservative elected member said: “I am looking forward to seeing the feedback from members of the public about this project.
“I have a list of sites where bus shelters have been requested in Rattray and I know there are issues with various footpaths, requests for handrails and improved lighting to make walking around easier.
“It will be good to have a full picture of what would make the community better for active travel and, more generally, just as a better place in which to live and work.”
The first online consultation will take place in the evening of Thursday, March 11.
For more information, email Samantha on samantha@procom.scot.
Alternatively, register your interest by visiting the website www.eventbrite. co.uk and searching for ‘Rattray Sustaining Choices Online Consultation’ prior to the meeting.